The foundation for your Psychology degree
Psychological Science is the required major for a degree in Psychology. It gives you a broad overview of the field, from the history of psychology through to the latest research.
Learn about our biological make-up and understand how our brains and nervous systems work. Look at ideas like perception—how our brains can tell red from blue, or hot from cold—and how we store and retrieve memories. Learn about how we define ourselves and become the people we are, and begin to explore concepts around mental health.
You’ll get practical experience in psychological research, and learn to use statistics to analyse findings in surveys and lab experiments. A Psychological Science major gives you a strong foundation, whether you go on to postgraduate study in Psychology or take the skills and knowledge you’ve gained into another field entirely.
Choose your study path
Because Psychology is both a social science and a science, you can study Psychological Science as a major in any of these three degrees:
- Bachelor of Psychology (Psychological Science is compulsory for this degree)
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Arts.
To help you decide which degree is right for you, think about your main interests and what other subjects you’d like to learn about.
Second majors in psychology
Alongside your Psychological Science major, you can take one of our supplementary (second) majors in a related psychology subject. These are interdisciplinary—you’ll combine specially developed psychology courses with courses from other relevant fields.
A second psychology major lets you go deeper into an area that interests you, or start specialising if you already have a career path in mind. We offer these second majors:
- Brain Sciences and Mental Health
- Cognitive Science
- Criminal Justice and Psychology
- Educational Psychology
- Health Psychology
- Māori Psychology
- Mental Health: Principles and Applications
- Work and Organisational Psychology.
You can also pair your Psychological Science major with a subject outside psychology, through a conjoint degree, a double major, or a minor.
Degree support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
Study options
Find out how you can study Psychological Science at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Future careers
Psychological Science will provide you with skills you’ll be able to use in a wide range of roles. You’ll be well prepared for roles involving:
- data analysis
- communication and collaboration
- understanding of people and relationships.
You could find work in many different fields, such as:
- marketing and communications
- disability support
- youth engagement
- software testing
- user-centred design.
More career information
Find out more about careers in psychology.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have first year and school-leaver scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Psychology
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Applicants must be full-time post graduate student studying at Victoria University of Wellington. This scholarship is open to students from any course of study which focuses on social justice but students studying Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Law and Restorative Justice are encouraged to apply. Students holding a full three-year PhD scholarship are not eligible to apply.
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The VSPS constitution states "The Psychology Society offers a range of events that enrich the study of psychology, bring together students at all levels of study, and foster a relationship between students and academic staff outside the classrooms".
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$15,000 VUW Undergraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Bachelor’s degree.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
We also offer specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
Scholarships for Psychology
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This scholarship has been established by a gift from Autism New Zealand to further its mission to empower the autistic and wider autism communities. The scholarship is designed to support Education and Educational Psychology Master’s by thesis students to undertake research evaluating early support for Autistic children.
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This scholarship is open to any undergraduate or postgraduate student who is currently enrolled full-time in a degree majoring in Education. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, but where more than one top applicant consideration will be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship.
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Plan ahead for further study
If you’re interested in postgraduate study, talk to us about your course choices in your undergraduate degree.
Some postgraduate psychology pathways have specific courses you need to complete before you can apply—these are called prerequisites. Some courses may not be part of the Psychological Science major, so you’ll need to know which courses to include for the postgraduate qualification you’re interested in.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you're facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Wellington Global Exchange
If you're a current student at Victoria University of Wellington, you can complete part of your degree overseas. Choose from our 140 partner universities worldwide.
Study Abroad and Exchange Programme
If you're an overseas student, you can spend a trimester or a year at Victoria University of Wellington. You'll earn credits at your home university while you study here.